Mounting construction for chalk boards, corkboards and like panels



May 4, 1965 J N. MAERTZIG, JR 3,181,662

MOUNTING CONSTRUbTION FOR CHALK BOARDS, CORKBOARDS AND LIKE PANELS Filed Dec. 23. 1960 Jase Z J.-

ATTORN EY 3,181,662 MOUNTING CONSTRUCTION FOR CHALK BOARDS, CORKBOARDS AND LIKE PANELS Joseph N. Maertzig, Jr., 961 Granite St., Philadelphia 24, Pa. Filed Dec. 23, 1960, Ser. No. 78,128 4 Claims. (Cl. 189-88) This invention relates generally to improvements in the mounting of chalk board, corkboard and similar panels on a building wall or other suitable support structure.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a mounting construction for chalk board, corkboard and like panels which may be quickly and easily installed, without special preparation of the support structure, and without the use of special tools or exercise of special skills.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a panel-mounting construction of the type described which includes elements for mounting adjacent panels, as well as a single panel, and for retaining trim in position both between adjacent panels and bounding a single panel.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a panel-mounting construction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs which is extremely simple in structure, staunch, durable and reliable in use, and which can be economically manufactured for sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view showing a chalk board and corkboard mounted upon a wall, partly broken away for conservation of drawing space;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view, taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, somewhat enlarged for clarity of understanding;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing one element of the present invention apart from the assembly of FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a top view of the element shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of the element shown in FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view showing another element of the present invention apart from the operative assembly.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 1 and 2 thereof, a supporting structure, base or wall is there designated 10, and a panel assembly, generally designated 12 is mounted on the wall. The panel assembly may vary as desired, and for purposes of illustration and without limiting intent, is shown as including a generally rectangular corkboard or panel 13 arranged in proximate facing relation With the supporting wall 10, and a chalk board or panel 14 located in substantially coplanar, edge-to-edge spaced relation with respect to the corkboard. An intermediate molding or trim strip 15 extends between the panels 13 and 14, while a bounding or edge trim or molding 16 extends about the combined area of both the panels 13 and 14.

Further, concealed beneath the trim 15 and 16 in FIGURE 1, there are secured to the supporting structure or wall a plurality of mounting elements or clips 18 located United States Patent 0 3,181,662 Patented May 4, 1965 "ice between and engaging both the panels 13 and 14, and a plurality of mounting elements or clips 19 secured to the supporting wall about and in supporting engagement with the outer edge regions or margins of both the panels 13 and 14. Thus, the supporting elements or clips 18 are located intermediate or between adjacent panels 13 and 14, while the supporting elements or clips 19 are located about the margins of the panels.

In FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 are shown, in greater detail, a mounting element or clip 18 of somewhat channel-like configuration. The mounting element or clip 18 includesa generally flat, substantially rectangular back portion 20 adapted to be secured fast in facing engagement with a supporting structure or base, such as the Wall 10. For receiving securing fasteners or screws, as at 22, one or more through apertures or holes 23 may be provided in the back portion 20.

Along opposite sides of the back portion 20 are forwardly extending or outstanding walls generally designated 25 and 26, respectively. Further, the outstanding side wall 25 is constituted of a pair of side-wall sections 27 and 28, each of approximately rectangular configuration and extending from the adjacent side edge of back portion 20 alongside each other. More specifically, the side-wall section 27 extends forward from and approximately normal to the back portion 20, along one side edge thereof proximate to the end edge 29, while the side-wall section 28 extends obliquely forward and outward laterally away from one side edge of the back portion adjacent to the end edge 30 of the back portion. As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 4, the side-wall section 27 extends forward further than the side-wall section 28, or'

conversely, the side-wall section 28 terminates in the forward direction short of the side-wall section 27. On the distal region of the side-wall section 27, extending generally normal thereto and laterally outward therefrom is provided a generally rectangular resilient extension or leaf 31, which has its outer end region bent to define an obliquely forwardly and laterally outwardly extending formation 32. Extending laterally outward from the distal end of wall section 28, and resiliently carried there-v by, is a generally rectangular portion or leaf 33. The leaf 33 is disposed in a plane generally parallel to and spaced between the planes of back portion 20 and leaf 31. Thus, the leaves 31 and 33 are offset from each other in the direction normal to their planes and to the plane of the back portion 20; and further, the leaves 31 and 33 are offset from each other longitudinally of the back portion 20 as in the direction extending between the back-portion end edges 29 and 30.

The side wall 26 may be considered as constituted of a pair of outstanding wall sections 37 and 38 extending from the other longitudinal or side edge of back portion 26, with the wall section 37 adjacent to the back-portion end 30, the wall section 38 adjacent to the back-portion end 29, and the wall sections alongside of each other. The wall section 37 is similar to the wall section 27, extending forward from and generally normal to the back portion 20, while the wall section 38 extends obliquely forward and laterally outward from the back portion terminating short of the wall section 37 in the forward direction. A generally rectangular resilient extension or leaf 41 projects laterally outward from the distal end of wall section 37, substantially normal thereto. The outer end region of the leaf 41 is bent or curved forwardly and laterally inwardly to define a curled formation 42. Extending laterally outward from the distal end of the wall section 38 is a generally rectangular portion or leaf 43 disposed in a plane parallel to and spaced between the planes of the back portion 20 and leaf 41.

Thus, the wall sections 37 and 38 are similar, respectively, to the wall sections 27 and 28, while the leaves 41 wardiy facing surface, Further, it will be observed that v the oblique wali'section 28 is located laterally opposite to the normaltwall section 137, .while the normal 'wallfsec tion 27 is located laterally opposite the oblique wall sec tion 38. r V l In use, as seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, a plurality of the mounting elements or clips 18 are secured fast, as by fast! eners 22, in spaced relation to a supporting structure: or wall 10, with the back portions 20 of the several mounting elements in end-to-end, spaced aligned relation. In this condition, one wall panel 13' may have its upper edge region snugly engaged between and resiliently embraced by the leaves 41 and 43. That is, the leaves 41 and 43 firmly frictionally engage opposite faces of the panel 13 adjacent to the up er edge thereof. The upper panel 14 may have its lower margin entering between and engaged by the resilient leaves 31 and 33 tobe frictionally retain'ed thereby. V V

The mou-nt ing e'lements or clips 19 are best seen in FIG- URE 6 as including a generally rectangular, substantially fiat back portion 50 having oppositeends or end edges- Siand 52 and provided with one ormore apertures or' holes 53 for receiving securing fasteners, as at 54 in FIG- configuration including a front or outer wall'72, and longitudinal side walls 73 and 74. The edge regions ofthe side walls are bent inward, as at 75 and 76, respectively. The marginal trim may be' assembled by engaging the 'inturned wall edge portion 75 behind the formation 62,

and forcibly snap engaging theside-wall edge portion 76 over the formation 65. It Will be observed thatthe marginal trim 16 has one side wall. 74 of greater depth or width than the other side Wall 63, for extension of the wider side wall to. the support structure or wall 10.

While the clips or mountingelements 18 and 19 of the present invention may each preferably be integrally fabricated of resilient sheet metal, as by simple and inexpensive stamping operation, it is, of course, understood that the clips of the instant invention may be manufactured otherwise, is desired, and fabricated of any suitable material. I g

Thus, it will be appreciated that the clips or mounting elements of the present invention are capable of extremely economical manufacture, as well as extremely rapid and easy installation and assembly with chalk boards, co'rliboards and the'like panels. Further, it will be observed that the intermediate clip .18, by the relative ar- URE 2. Alon'g'pne longitudinal or'side edgeof the back, i;

portion 50' is arr-outstanding wall, generally designated'SS, which may be constituted-of a pair of side-by-side wall sections 57 and 58. The "wallsection '57 may be generally rectangular and extend forward from one side edge of the back portion 50, substantially normal thereto, being provided on its distal end with a laterally outwardly proiecting, generally rectangular, resilient extension or' leaf 61. The laterally outer end region "62 of the/leaf" 61 is bent to define an obliquely forwardly and laterally out-.

rangement of leaves. 31 and 33 in respective laterally opposed relation with leaves 43. and 44 afford thelu'nique, firmfricticnal embracing engagement with both. adjacent edge-to -edge spaced panels 13 and 14, andwherein a re action torque is imparted to each adjacent pair of leaves,

,which reaction torques are in opposite angular directions to cancel each other. j This serves to prevent undue stress, strain and vibration being transmitted to the mountingelements for'substantially indefinite durability and firm securernent to their panel elements and supporting strucwardly extending formation; The leaf 61 is substantially normal to the wall section 57, so as to be parallel'to and spa ed from the plane of back portionSll. 7

The wall section 58 s generally rectangular and eX-. tends obliquely foiwardly' and laterally outward from the back portion 'SOJalong side of the wall section 57 'and tennihates forwardly short of the wall section 57.. Extending laterally outward from the distal end of wall section 58 is a generally rectangular extension or leaf 63 lo'cated'in a planefparallel to and spaced between the planes of leaf 6'1 and back portion 52. The *leaf'63 is thus resiliently carried by the Wall section 58, being offset rearwardly from the plane of leaf 61 and offset longitudinally of the back portion 50 from the leaf 61. Thus, itwill be apprecia'ted that the wall 55 and leaves 61 and 63"are similar to the wall 25 andleaves 31 and 33 of mounting element 18.- i Carried by the back portion 50, on the side'edge there- .of opposite to the wall 55, is a forwardly curled forma tion 65. V I I d V In the operative assembly ofFIGURE 2, themounting element or clip 19 is'secured by a fastener 54 with its back portion 50 in facing engagement with the supporting structure or wall 10. The upper marginalregion of panel 14 engages between the resilient leaves 61 and 63, tl1'e leaves" serving to firmly frictionally engage oppositefaces' of the panel 14. I 1 I I The intermediate trim piece 15 is of anelongate,'hollow: or channellike configuration, including 'an outeror ,forward wall 67, and rearwardly' extending side walls or .flanges' 68 and 69. The flanges '68 and 69 have their edge portions 7 0and 71, respectively, turnedor bent obliquely inward. By this construction, it=is onlynecessaryto en; gage the inturned flange edge portion 71 behind the out;

turned leaf end portion 32 and forcibly snap engagethc.

ture. I I

From the foregoing it is seen that the present invention provides a mounting construction for corkboard, chalk board and like panels which fully "accomplishes its intended objects and is well-adapted to meet practicalconditions of manufacture and use. i

' While the clip 18 has been described as for use between or intermediate adjacent panels, if desired -the clip. 18

may be employed peripherally about one or more. panels for retaining peripheral trim. Such trim may be similar to that shown at 1 6, but provided with an inwardly upset portion of the wall 74 'spaced from its edge for engagement with the curled portion/42 of theclip. It is, of course, also "appreciated that the trim may be provided with formations defining a jchalk rail, orthe like, as desired, without departing from the instant invention.- 7

Althoughthe present invention has been described in some detail by Way'of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit-of the invention and scope of the appended claims. What is claimed is p A mountingconstruction for chalk boards, corkboards and like panels comprising a clip adapted to be mounted at an edgeof a panel, said clip including a platelike anchoring portion,- a pair of resilient leaves extending in one direction from :said anchoring portion and offset from each other in twodirections both subopposite sides of a panel, a'first securing formation on 'thedi staliregion ,ofone' of said leaves, a secondsecuring formation carried by said anchoring portion remote from said leaves said first and second. securing formations flange edge portion 70, overtheformation 42 topositivly retain the trim in position."

V The marginal trim ran a an... hollow, "channellike;

being adapted for securingengagementin a hollow trim ,to retain the latter, in position, and .aseco nd pair of'resilient leaves extending in 'the'opposite direction from 7 said anchoring; portion, as ,said "first-mentioned" pair of leaves and; offset from each other in said two directions .both substantially normal to said one and opposite direc- ..tions, said f'selclond pair of leaves being. adapted .to receive ,therebetweeniand resiliently engage opposite sides of a second panel, said second securing formation being carried by one of said second pair of leaves at the distal region thereof, and said second pair of leaves being olfset oppositely to said first-mentioned pair of leaves in one of said two normal directions so that said first and second pairs of leaves impart opposite and counteracting reaction torques from said panels to said anchoring portion.

2. A mounting construction for chalk boards, cork boards and like panels comprising a clip adapted to be mounted at an edge of a panel, said clip including a platelike back portion, a first Wall section extending forward from one side of said back portion, a second wall section extending forward from said one side of said back portion adjacent to and terminating short of said first wall section, a resilient leaf extending from the distal end of each wall section laterally outward from said back portion, said leaves being offset from each other and adapted to receive therebetween and resiliently engage opposite sides of a panel, a first securing formation on the distal region of the leaf of said first wall section, a pair of additional wall sections extending forward from said other side of said back portion, an additional resilient leaf extending from each of said additional wall sections laterally outward away from said back portion, said additional leaves being offset from each other and adapted to receive therebetween and resiliently engage opposite sides of a second panel, and a second securing formation carried by the distal region of one of said additional leaves, said first-mentioned and additional leaves being diagonally positioned with respect to each other to effectively nullify forces imparted to said back portion, said first and second securing formations being adapted for I engagement in a hollow trim for retaining the latter in position.

3. A mounting construction for chalk boards, corkboards and like panels comprising a clip adapted to be mounted at an edge of a panel, said clip including a platelike back portion, a first wall section extending forward from one side of said back portion, a second wall section extending forward from said one side of said back portion adjacent to and terminating short of said first wall section, a resilient leaf extending from the distal end of each Wall section laterally outward from said ba-ck portion, said leaves being offset from each other and adapted to receive therebetween and resiliently engage opposite sides of a panel, a first securing formation on the distal region of the leaf of said first wall section, a second securing formation carried by said back portion remote from said leaves, said first and second securing formations being adapted for engagement in a hollow trim for retaining the latter in position, a pair of additional wall sections extending forward from the other side of said back portion, and an additional resilient leaf extending from each of said additional wall sections laterally outward away from said back portion, said additional leaves being offset from each other and adapted to receive therebetween and resiliently engage opposite sides of a second panel, and said second securing formation being carried by the distal region of one of said additional leaves, the leaves of said first and second wall sections being offset to impart a reaction torque to said back section in one direction, and said additional leaves being oifset to impart a reaction torque to said back portion in the opposite direction.

4. A mounting construction for chalk boards, corkboards and like panels comprising a clip adapted to be mounted at an edge of a panel, said clip including a platelike back portion, a first wall section extending forward from one side of said back portion, a second wall section extending forward from said one side of said back portion adjacent to and terminating short of said first wall section, a resilient leaf extending from the distal end of each wall section laterally outward from said back portion, said leaves being offset from each other and adapted to receive therebetween and resiliently engage opposite sides of a panel, a first securing formation on the distal region of the leaf of said first wall section, a second securing formation carried by said back portion remote from said leaves, said first and second securing formations being adapted for engagement in a hollow trim for retaining the latter in position, a pair of additional Wall sections extending forward from the other side of said back portion, and an additional resilient leaf extending from each of said additional wall sections laterally outward away from said back portion, said additional leaves being offset from each other and adapted to receive therebetween and resiliently engage opposite sides of a second panel, and said second securing formation being carried by the distal region of one of said additional leaves, the leaves of said additional pair being located respectively laterally opposite to the leaves of said first and second wall sections with the forwardmost leaf of each pair laterally opposite to the rearwardmost leaf of the other pair.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,140,687 5/15 Lane 189-34 X 1,991,882 2/35 Dill 35-65 2,135,982 11/38 Masters 35-65 2,641,809 6/53 Kimball 24-81 2,814,840 12/57 Sears 20-92 X 3,038,571 6/62 Clements 189-88 FOREIGN PATENTS 217,996 3/42 Switzerland.

BENJAMIN BENDETT, Primary Examiner.

JOEL REZNEK, JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Examiners. 

2. A MOUNTING CONSTRUCTION FOR CHALK BOARDS, CORKBOARDS AND LIKE PANELS COMPRISING A CLIP ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED AT AN EDGE OF A PANEL, SAID CLIP INCLUDING A PLATELIKE BACK PORTION, A FIRST WALL SECTION EXTENDING FORWARD FROM ONE SIDE OF SAID BACK PORTION, A SECOND WALL SECTION EXTENDING FORWARD FROM SAID ONE SIDE OF SAID BACK PORTION ADJACENT TO AND TERMINATING SHORT OF SAID FIRST WALL SECTION, A RESILIENT LEAF EXTENDING FROM THE DISTAL END OF EACH WALL SECTION LATERALLY OUTWARD FROM SAID BACK PORTION, SAID LEAVES BEING OFFSET FROM EACH OTHER AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THEREBETWEEN AND RESILIENTLY ENGAGE OPPOSITE SIDES OF A PANEL, A FIRST SECURING FORMATION ON THE DISTAL REGION OF THE LEAF OF SAID FIRST WALL SECTION, A PAIR OF ADDITIONAL WALL SECTIONS EXTENDING FORWARD FROM SAID OTHER SIDE OF SAID BACK PORTION, AN ADDITIONAL RESILIENT LEAF EXTENDING FROM EACH OF SAID ADDITIONAL WALL SECTIONS LATERALLY OUTWARD AWAY FROM SAID BACK PORTION, SAID ADDITIONAL LEAVES BEING OFFSET FROM EACH OTHER AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THEREBETWEEN AND RESILIENTLY ENGAGE OPPOSITE SIDES OF A SECOND PANEL, AND A SECOND SECURING FORMATION CARRIED BY THE DISTAL REGION OF ONE OF SAID ADDITIONAL LEAVES, SAID FIRST-MENTIONED AND ADDITIONAL LEAVES BEING DIAGONALLY POSITIONED WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER TO EFFECTIVELY NULLIFY FORCES IMPARTED TO SAID BACK PORTION, SAID FIRST AND SECOND SECURING FORMATIONS BEING ADAPTED FOR ENGAGEMENT IN A HOLLOW TRIM FOR RETAINING THE LATTER IN POSITION. 